Determinants Of Risky Sexual Behaviour Research Articles

Unprotected Risky Sex Among Men with Opioid Dependence: Is More Needed to Be Done?

Background and Objectives: Risky behaviors are common among patients with substance use disorders. Knowing the determinants of risky sexual behaviors can identify individuals who may benefit from targeted interventions. The primary aim of the study was to assess unprotected risky sexual behavior and its sociodemographic and clinical correlates in treatment-seeking opioid-dependent patients. Methods: A cross-sectional exploratory study was done on 112 married treatment-seeking opioid-dependent male patients. A semi-structured proforma consisting of sociodemographic and clinical details was used to assess sexual behavior, other risky behaviors like injecting drug use (IDU), and knowledge of and attitude toward risky sexual behavior. Results: The mean age of the sample was 34.1 years, and that at first sexual intercourse was 18.6 years. History of unprotected risky sex (unprotected sex with a casual partner or female sex worker or person having a sexually transmitted disease or with males or having sex for rewards) was present in 30 patients (26.8% of the sample). Unprotected risky sex was found to be significantly associated with younger age at first sexual encounter ( p = .010), more sexual partners ( p < .001), greater frequency of masturbation ( p = .031), and watching pornography ( p = .028). However, it was not found to be related to other risky behaviors such as IDU ( p = .210) and sex under intoxication ( p = .149) and also did not vary between treatment-naïve and under-treatment populations ( p = .434). No significant relationship was found between knowledge and attitude about risky sexual behavior and unprotected risky sex in the present sample. Conclusion: Risky sexual behavior in opioid-dependent patients is a concern, as this may be an additional mode of transmission of blood-borne viruses apart from IDU. Safe sex practices need to be emphasized in this population, and efforts at behavioral changes are desirable.

Pornography usage during adolescence: Does it lead to risky sexual behavior?

Are youths who consume pornography more likely to engage in risky sexual behaviors? Using longitudinal data from the National Study of Youth and Religion and an individual fixed effects strategy, this paper investigates the relationship between pornography use among 13- to 23-year-olds and a range of subsequent risky sexual behaviors. It also estimates a lagged dependent variable model where risky sexual behavior of the previous wave is included as a control. The findings suggest that moderate and frequent pornography use increases the likelihood of engaging in acts such as unprotected sex and having multiple sexual partners. Finally, a heterogeneity analysis by gender reveals that males and females behave differently in response to exposure to pornography, but that is true for only a few indicators of risky sex. The paper's findings provide critical information on determinants of risky sexual behavior and meaningful evidence for the policy debate on government censoring and monitoring online behavior.

Socioeconomic determinants of risky sexual behaviors and HIV seropositivity among university students in South Africa: A case control analysis.

Socioeconomic determinants of risky sexual behaviors in sub-Saharan Africa are well known. The socioeconomic determinants of the sexual behaviors of university students, however, remain unclear. This case control study aimed to investigate the socioeconomic determinants of risky sexual behavior and HIV seropositivity among university students in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), South Africa. Participants (N = 500; 375 HIV uninfected and 125 HIV infected) from four public higher educational institutions in KZN were recruited, using a non-randomized strategy. Socioeconomic status was assessed by food insecurity, access to the government loan scheme, and sharing of the bursary/loan with family. The findings of this study suggest that students reporting food insecurity were 1.87 times more likely to have multiple sexual partners; 3.18 times more likely to engage in transactional sex for money; and presented a fivefold higher risk of engaging in transactional sex for basic needs other than money. Accessing the government financing for education and sharing of the bursary/loan with family was also significantly associated with an increased risk of having an HIV seropositive status. A significant association between socioeconomic measures, risky sexual behavior, and HIV seropositivity is demonstrated in this study. Moreover, the socioeconomic risks and drivers when determining and/or developing HIV prevention interventions, including preexposure prophylaxis use, should be considered by healthcare providers based at campus health clinics.

HIV stigma beliefs and unprotected sex among teenagers and young adults in sub-Saharan Africa: The moderating role of mass media exposure

Despite significant advances in the fight against HIV in sub-Saharan Africa, health experts remain concerned about new infections and risky sexual behavior among teenagers & young adults (T&YAs). These concerns have spurred efforts to buttress a voluminous literature on the social determinants of risky sexual behavior in Africa. Absent from this flurry of new scholarship is a consistent focus on associations between HIV stigma beliefs and risky sexual behavior, especially among T&YAs. Alongside health professionals’ concerns about sexual behaviors is growing alarm about a dramatic expansion of sexual content in African mass media markets, which experts suspect may lead to T&YA risky sexual behavior. Yet, little work using multi-country data has confirmed whether mass media exposure increases the likelihood of risky sexual behavior. We fill these two gaps in the literature using a Demographic and Health Survey sample of unpartnered sub-Saharan African people, ages 15–24, in 30 countries. With this sample, we examine the direct relationships between HIV stigma beliefs, mass media exposure, and unprotected sex. We also explore whether the effect of stigma beliefs on unprotected sex is moderated by individual and regional-level exposure to mass media content. We first find that the effect of HIV stigma beliefs is harmful or associated with increases in the probability of unprotected sex. Second, contrary to past findings, individual-level mass media exposure is protective, or associated with declines in the likelihood of unprotected sex. Third, the harmful effect of stigma attitudes is weakest when individual and regional-level mass media exposure are low, but strongest when individual and regional-level mass media exposure are high. These findings suggest that stigma beliefs can shape the sexual behaviors of African T&YAs in counterintuitive ways. They also show that mass media exposure can be simultaneously protective and harmful for this population.

A Qualitative Study to Explore the Determinants of Risky Sexual Behaviors and Pregnancy among Female Adolescents in Sabah, Malaysia.

This investigation was performed in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah state, where the highest number of pregnancies is recorded. The purpose of this study was to determine variables associated with hazardous sexual activity and adolescent pregnancy in Sabah, Malaysia. The findings indicate that familial variables, peer interactions, self-esteem, psychiatric concerns, economic considerations, and sex knowledge all play a significant role in hazardous sexual conduct and adolescent pregnancy in Sabah, Malaysia. Information obtained from this study will help the Malaysian government and other officials to design and establish proper interventions that will help alleviate the challenge of high prevalence of teenage pregnancy. It is suggested that sex education be included in the high school curriculum, along with physical and health education in Sabah, Malaysia.

Street youths: reproductive health risk status, reproductive health challenges and barriers to health services utilization in a southwestern City, Nigeria.

According to the United Nations, about 150 million youth spent most of their time on the street, or better still, homeless. This is becoming a global phenomenon and majority of this vulnerable people live in large cities and urban areas of developing countries. Street youths are among the high risk, insecure and vulnerable groups who are often exposedto various forms of abuses and diseases, including reproductive health issues. A descriptive cross sectional study carried out among street youths in Ikorodu Local Government, Lagos State using a multi staged sampling technique. Frequency tables were drawn at the univariate level, chi squared was used to test for association between socio-demographic characteristics and sexual risk level. Data was analyzed using SPPSS version 22, p value was set at 0.05. Almost half 48(48.5%) of the respondents were between the age range 20-24years and two third 61(61.6%) of them were female and 27(27.3%) had up to senior secondary education attainments. Majority 73(73.7%) of them have been on the street for more than 3months and 32 (32.3%) professed that the reason they were on the street was to search for job while 25 (25.3%) because of family disharmony among parents. Eighty six (86.9%) of the respondents were sexually active, 31 (36.0%) of which have more than four sexual partners. Duration of stay on the street and their educational status were determinants of risky sexual behavior and polygamous setting was found to be statistically significant(p value =0.035) with reproductive health challenges. There is high risk sexual practice among street youths in Ikorodu Local Government. Strategic interventions aimed at minimizing sexual risky behaviors among street youths should focus on reducing the duration of stay on the street as well as increasing access to contraception.

A multilevel mixed effect analysis of neighbourhood and individual level determinants of risky sexual behaviour among young people in South Africa

BackgroundDespite national and international commitments and efforts to prevent risky sexual behaviours, a high proportion of young people in South Africa are engaged in risky sexual behaviour. However, most efforts are currently directed toward addressing individual-level factors at the expense of not addressing neighbourhood-level determinants such as social disorganisation, contributing to risky sexual behaviour among young people in South Africa. This study investigated the multilevel factors of risky sexual behaviours among young people by gender in South Africa, using the lens of socio-ecological and social disorganisation frameworks.MethodsData from a nationally representative sample of 1268 males and 2621 females aged 15–24 years, giving a total of, 3889 never-married youths, were drawn from the 2016 South Africa Demographic and Health Survey. Analysis was conducted using multilevel mixed-effect logistic regressions with random community-level effects.ResultsFindings show that youth who were from a heterogeneous ethnic group (AOR = 0.49, CI: 0.35–0.67), household size of 5 + members (AOR = 0.78, CI: 0.54–1.15), community education (AOR = 0.97, CI: 0.72–1.32) were associated with low engagement in multiple sexual partnerships. Youths who were employed (AOR = 0.84, CI: 0.59–1.18), and from high-level community poverty (AOR = 0.76, CI: 0.58–1.00) were also associated with reduced odds of unprotected sex. In addition, older youth aged 20–24 years (AOR = 12.6, CI: 9.93–16.00); secondary education attainment (AOR = 1.01, CI 0.58–1.77); family structure (AOR = 1.37, CI: 0.75–1.15); Gauteng province (AOR = 1.45 CI: 0.92–2.28); residential mobility (AOR = 1.25, CI: 1.02–1.53), community media exposure to contraceptives (unprotected sex) (AOR = 1.38, CI: 1.09–1.76) were more likely to engage in risky sexual behaviour.ConclusionThe study revealed that neighbourhood and individual-level factors were important in explaining the factors associated with risky sexual behaviour among young people in South Africa. In addition, engagement in risky sexual behaviour was high, with minimal variation among young females and males in South Africa. It specifies that the practice of risky sexual behaviour is significantly associated with multilevel factors of social disorganisation that cut across gender. These results imply that there is a need to review policies of sexual risks reduction for each gender, which might help mitigate the adverse effects of social disorganisation for women and men youths in South Africa.

Prevalence and sociodemographic determinants of risky sexual behavior among unmarried adolescents in Southeast Nigeria

Background: Adolescent risky sexual behavior is of a public health concern as most outcomes have long-term negative consequences on adolescents’ health and development. Objectives: This study was undertaken to assess the prevalence and sociodemographic determinants of risky sexual behavior among unmarried adolescents in Nigeria. Materials and Methods: A quantitative cross-sectional study was undertaken in Ebonyi state, Nigeria, using a pre-tested structured interviewer-administered questionnaire. Data were collected from 1045 adolescent boys and girls. Descriptive, bivariate, and multivariate analysis were performed using STATA software. Results: A total of 372 (35.6%) adolescents in the survey ever had a boyfriend or girlfriend. About, 369 (36.0%) had been pressurized by others to have sex, 73 (7.0%) had engaged in multiple sexual partnering, 3.0% had engaged in age-disparate sex, 27 (2.6%) had a one-night stand, and 37 (2.4%) reported they had engaged in nonconsensual sex. Lifestyle risky behaviors that were reported include partying/night clubbing 399 (38.1%), the use of mood-enhancing drugs 319 (30.5%), and alcohol consumption 316 (30.2%). Some sociodemographic factors were significantly associated with multiple sexual partnering, age-disparate sex, nonconsensual sex, and other lifestyle risky behaviors. In logistic regression analysis, gender was a predictor of multiple sexual partnering, age-disparate sex, and nonconsensual sex (odds ratio [OR] = 0.43, confidence interval [CI] = 1.40–3.71; OR = 10.0, CI = 0.03–0.29; OR = 3.0, CI = 0.01–0.14, respectively), while type of place of residence (OR = 1.75, CI = 0.35–0.92) and schooling status (OR = 3.70, CI = 0.13–0.41) were predictors of multiple sexual partnering. Conclusion: Risky sexual behaviors were prevalent among adolescents highlighting the need for strategic SRH interventions that pay close attention to identified drivers that predispose adolescents to unhealthy sexual behaviors.

Assessment of risky sexual behaviors and associated factors among adolescents in Shewarobit Town, Northeast, Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study

Introductionadolescents are at high risk of engaging in risky sexual behaviours that could predispose them to several health problems. Cognizant of these facts, studies addressing the root causes for risky sexual behaviours in risk areas like Shewa Robit are mandatory. Therefore, the study was conducted to assess risky sexual behaviours and its determinants in Shewa Robit town, Northeast Ethiopia.Methodsan institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 349 students using quantitative and qualitative approaches. For the quantitative study, data entry and analysis was done by using Epidata-3.1 and statistical package for social sciences (SPSS)-20, respectively. Binary and multiple logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with risky sexual practices. Odds ratio with 95% confidence interval (CI) was used for measuring the strength of association. Variables with P-value of <0.05 were considered statistically significant. Collected data from the qualitative study was debriefed, categorized, coded and common themes were generated manually. Finally, the findings were triangulated with quantitative findings.Resultsa total of 338 respondents involved in the study. Overall, 168 (49.7%) of respondents have had risky sexual behaviour. Alcohol consumption (Adjusted odd ration (AOR)=5.01, 95%CI; 2.12-11.79), peer pressure (AOR=5.82, 95%CI; 2.97-11.41), grade level (AOR=5.82, 95%CI; 2.06-16.45), and family size (AOR=5.19, 95%CI; 2.24-12.01) were significantly associated with risky sexual behaviour.Conclusionrisky sexual behaviour in the study area was high. Several families and school-level factors were found to be major determinants of risky sexual behaviours. Public health interventions focusing on adolescent sexual health should be targeted to save those risky adolescents.

Determinants of risky sexual behaviour among undergraduate students at the University of Gondar, Northwest Ethiopia.

Risky sexual behaviour (RSB) is defined as behaviours leading to sexually transmitted diseases and unintended pregnancies. According to the Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS, HIV infection was very high among adolescents and youths living in sub-Saharan Africa including Ethiopia. This study was aimed to assess the prevalence of RSB and associated factors among undergraduate students at the University of Gondar.An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted from June to July 2019 and a simple random sampling technique was employed to select 420 students. Data were collected using a structured self-administered questionnaire, entered into Epi-info version 7.0 and exported to Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25 for analysis, and presented in frequencies, percentages and tables. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analysis were carried out to identify variables having significant association with RSB.The prevalence of RSB among undergraduate students at the University of Gondar was 44.0%. Age [adjusted odds ratio (AOR): 2.12; 95% confidence interval (CI) (1.19-3.79)], residence [AOR: 2.14; 95% CI (1.22-3.75)], living arrangement [AOR: 9.79; 95% CI (5.34-17.9)], daily religious attendance[AOR: 0.57; 95% CI (0.33-0.99)], drink alcohol [AOR: 9.19; 95% CI (3.74-22.59)] and having information about reproductive health and sexually transmitted diseases [AOR:3.05; 95% CI (1.00-9.27)] were factors significantly associated with RSB.Nearly half of the respondents engaged in risky sexual activity. This prevalence is high and the students are at high risk of exposure to sexually transmitted diseases that need reproductive health intervention like counselling and discussion. Creating awareness is needed for the students regarding reproductive health and the risk of sexually transmitted diseases. In addition, giving special attention is required for students who use alcohol, who did not live with family and who have urban residence.

The Implicit Sexual Risk Assessment: A Pilot Study of a Novel Behavioral Task.

Risky sexual behaviors are a significant public health concern. Laboratory experiments are necessary to identify causal determinants of risky sexual behavior. However, experiments often rely on analogue sexual risk behavior, assessed by self-reported intentions in response to a sexual scenario. Using behavioral tasks to assess risk taking may be a valuable addition to self-reported intention outcome measures. The Balloon Analogue Risk Task (BART) is a commonly used measure of general risk-taking. However, BART's associations with sexual risk-taking have been mixed. In this pilot study, we developed a task akin to the BART, the Implicit Sexual Risk Assessment (ISRA), which incorporates sexual stimuli. We hypothesized sexual arousal would increase risk taking on ISRA relative to BART. Using a within-persons experimental design, 79 participants (52% women, mean age = 19.5 (SD = 1.42)) were randomized to condition (i.e., arousal versus neutral) and completed the BART and ISRA tasks. As expected, sexual arousal was associated with increased risk-taking (i.e., adjusted pumps) on ISRA relative to BART. However, this was unexpectedly the result of decreased pumps on BART instead of increased pumps on ISRA. Neither BART nor ISRA were significantly associated with sexual risk behavior or intentions. Null findings are qualified by the fact that sexual arousal was not significantly associated with sexual risk intentions.

Determinants of Risky Sexual Behaviours Among Adolescent Girls Attending Babcock University High School, Ilishan Remo, Ogun State

Determinants of Risky Sexual Behaviours Among Adolescent Girls Attending Babcock University High School, Ilishan Remo, Ogun State

Determinants of Risky Sexual Behaviors Among Adolescents

As adolescence is a stage in which human beings face once throughout a lifetime and it is the experimental period for this reason risky sexual behavior is common among young people, and it has several sexual and reproductive health consequences. In Ethiopia, mostly as in many other settings, the behaviors of adolescents strongly influence the course of STDs including HIV/AIDS due to their risky sexual practices. This study is a descriptive cross sectional survey research design. The finding showed that, Pocket money, peer pressure, substances use and self-efficacy to resist sexual advances are associated with risky sexual behaviors. The findings regarding gender difference showed that there was no statistically significant difference between male and female students with regard to age of first sexual intercourse. Concerned with risk factor for unsafe sexual behavior of adolescents was observed with abuse of alcohol, Khat, Shisha, Tela and cigarette. Providing the necessary knowledge and skills for adolescents, parents and different stakeholders are the suggested recommendation.

Determinants Of Risky Sexual Behaviours Among Adolescents In Secondary Schools In Rivers State: Implications For Counselling

The study investigated determinants of risky sexual behaviours among adolescents in secondary schools in Rivers State. The study adopted the ex-post-facto research design. Four research questions as well as four corresponding hypotheses guided the study. The population of the study comprised 14,784 senior secondary school students (SSS 1, 2 and 3) in the 16 public secondary schools in Obio/Akpor LGA of Rivers State. A sample of 300 adolescents was randomly and independently selected using purposive sampling technique. Four instruments (questionnaire) were used to collect data for the study. They include; the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSS), Risky Sexual Behaviours Scale (RSBS), Emotional Intelligence Scale (EIS) and Peer Group Influence Scale (PGIS). The instruments were designed on a four point Likert scale of Strongly Agree (SA) =4, Agree (A) =3, Disagree (D) =2, and Strongly Disagree (SD) =1. The Cronbach Alpha reliability was used to establish the internal consistency reliability coefficients of 0.81, 0.73, 0.67 and 0.71 respectively. Responses to the research questions were answered with mean and standard deviation, while the hypotheses were tested with z-test statistics. The findings of the study revealed that emotional intelligence and peer pressure were significant determinants of risky sexual behaviours among adolescents in secondary school in Rivers State, whereas self-esteem and gender are not. Based on the findings of the study it was recommended among others that counsellors should readily offer practical assistance to adolescents experiencing sexuality problems to enable them develop healthy sexual behaviours and maintain healthy relationships with others.

Determinants of Risky Sexual Behaviour among Inmates in Katsina Correctional Service: A Mixed Methods Study

Background: Incarceration does not vitiate sexual desire. Therefore, sexual activities occur behind bars, regardless of the stringent rules in correctional institutions. However, little has been documented about risky sexual behaviors, determinants, and experiences among inmates of correctional institutions in Katsina State, Nigeria. The study determined the sexual practices, prevalence, and determinants of risky sexual behaviors among prison inmates in Katsina. Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional design with concurrent mixed methods of data collection was used to interview 216 inmates using a semi-structured questionnaire supplemented with 22 in-depth interviews. Result: Most (94%) respondents were male, almost half (44.4%) had secondary education, more than half (55.1%) were engaged in business or trading before incarceration, and the majority (75.9%) were awaiting trial. Nearly all inmates (98.6%) reported having sexual desire. Drug use (80.1%) and unprotected sex (79.2%) were quite common but sexual violence was low (7.4%). The number of sexual partners of respondents remained a significant predictor of sexual activity. Inmates who had one (1) or no sexual partner were 64% less likely to engage in risky sexual activity within the confines of the prison (AOR = 0.36, 95% CI = 0.20 &#45 0.63, p = 0.01). Qualitative interviews revealed the denial of occurrence of sexual activity in prison despite sexual desire felt by inmates; loneliness, poverty, and curiosity as motives for sexual relations; denial of occurrence of sexual violence in prison; and drug use and use of unsterilized sharps as risky sexual behaviors. Conclusion: Despite the disciplinary action meted out on inmates, prisoners still engaged in a range of risky sexual behaviors. Conjugal visitations for married inmates could be considered to reduce sexually deviant and risky alternatives of relieving sexual desire among prisoners.

Determinants of risky sexual behavior among secondary school adolescents in cross River State, Nigeria

Determinants of risky sexual behavior among secondary school adolescents in cross River State, Nigeria

Youth Risky Sexual Behavior: Prevalence and Socio-Demographic Factors in North-West Ethiopia: A Community-Based Cross-Sectional Study.

Despite, risky sexual behavior behaviors adversely affect the health of youth people, youth has been start sexual lives during teenager is increasing, thus youth has been engaged in risky sexual behaviors. However, almost all the previous studies are institutional based and did not considered out school youth. Therefore, this community based study among youth was implemented to identify sociodemographic determinants of risky sexual behaviors among youth. The community based cross-sectional study design was conducted from March 15 to April 15, 2019, among youths. Data were extracted from data collected for project on assessments of common health problem and risky behaviors in central, north and west Gondar zone, Northwest Ethiopia. A bivariable and multivariable logistic regression model was fitted. Adjusted odds ratio with 95% confidence interval were used to determine the presence of an association between independent variables and risky sexual behavior. The overall prevalence of risky sexual behavior was 27.5%, 95%CI: (25-29). Age 20-24 years (AOR = 1.8,95% CI:1.3-2.5), female (AOR = 1.6,95%CI: 1.2-2.1), had no formal education (AOR = 1.9,95% CI:1.1-3.4), not schooling during data collection year (AOR = 1.8,95%CI:1.3-2.6), family wealth index status; lowest (AOR = 2.3,95%CI:1.3-3.9), low (AOR = 2.1,95%CI:1.2-3.5), medium (AOR = 1.9,95%CI:1.2-3.0) and high (AOR = 1.8, 95%CI:1.1-3.0), having common mental disorder (AOR = 2.0,95% CI: 1.4-2.7), and watching pornography materials (AOR = 1.6, 95%CI: 1.2-2.1) were factors associated with risky sexual behaviors. Findings of this study revealed that one every four youths aged 15-24 years old had risky sexual behaviors. Hence, working on economic development of the family and prevention of violence can contribute to reducing risky sexual behavior among youths.

Determinants of Risky Sexual Behaviors in an HBCU Community

Determinants of Risky Sexual Behaviors in an HBCU Community

Risky Sexual Behaviors and Associated Factors Among College Students in Lusaka, Zambia

Risky sexual behaviors are important factors driving the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Although Zambia experiences a high HIV prevalence, especially among youth, there is a dearth of information regarding risky sexual behaviors among young adults. Therefore, we investigated the prevalence and associated factors of risky sexual behaviors among college students in Lusaka, Zambia. A cross-sectional study was conducted in February 2017 among 427 college students at the University of Zambia. Participants reported their sexual behaviors, sexual attitudes, and lifestyle using self-administered questionnaires. Multinomial logistic regression models were employed to assess potential determinants of risky sexual behaviors. Among the 205 students who reported ever having sex, 148 (72.2%) engaged in risky sexual behaviors in the last 12months. Participants who were older (OR 1.30, 95% CI 1.12-1.51), engaged in low physical activity (OR 2.25, 95% CI 1.05-4.84), and reported liberal sexual attitudes (OR 1.88, 95% CI 1.02-3.47) were more likely to engage in any risky sexual behavior, while frequent alcohol use (OR 8.38, 95% CI 4.60-15.27) and suicide attempts (OR 6.42, 95% CI 2.03-20.29) predicted multiple risky sexual behaviors. In conclusion, this study indicates that Zambian college students' risky sexual behaviors are associated with multiple behavioral health risks. Future research should consider using a multiple-behavior change intervention.

Exploring the Determinants of Risky Sexual Behavior Among Ethnically Diverse University Students: the Student Behavioral Health Survey-Web.

Universities create policies and develop programs to prevent HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. Unfortunately, most historically Black colleges and Hispanic-serving institutions have limited information about student practices and program effectiveness. This study examined the prevalence and determinants of risky sex among students attending a Hispanic-serving university. A cross-sectional online survey was conducted to obtain sensitive data from a random sample of students. Nearly two-thirds (65.2%) of 632 respondents reported engaging in risky sex. Sexual risk was significantly associated with older age (AOR = 2.16, 95% CI 1.09-4.30), lower self-control (AOR = 0.58, 95% CI 0.34-0.97), and higher alcohol (AOR = 2.10, 95% CI 1.20-3.67) and drug use (AOR = 2.59, 95% CI 1.48-4.50). Most respondents were unaware of university policies and programs. Programs to improve sexual health must influence risk-taking students. Perceptions of self-control and use of alcohol and drugs affected sexual decision-making. These factors should be ascertained and addressed by behavioral interventions aimed at minimizing risky behaviors and limiting the transmission of sexually transmitted infections.